Cell phones are the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective digital tool available for today's learners. You don't have to wait for them to turn on. Everyone knows how to use them. They don't require an onsite technician to use them. They're always with you and almost everybody has access to one, making it easy to communicate, connect, and learn. Students love using their cell phones and while some adults view them as the enemy, others have learned to embrace these devices, realizing what a powerful learning tool they are.Here are some tools you can use to get started in using cell phones for learning at school, in environments where they are allowed, or away from school. 1) Poll EverywherePoll Everywhere provides a terrific way to capture the thoughts and ideas of every student. Simply set up a multiple choice or free response poll, give students the code, and have them text in their answers like they do on shows like American Idol.

2) FlickrFlickr is a great way to quickly and easily create slideshows. This is fun to do with a new class. In an instant you can create a class slideshow by asking everyone to take their picture and place their name in the subject and something they want the class to know about them in the body, then email it to Flickr. You could also have students use Flickr to turn their writing into a slideshow picture book.

3) iPadioUse iPadio to make a quick and simple podcast right from your phone. No fancy equipment required. You could have students turn their reports, projects, or poetry into oral presentations to be shared with a global audience, right from their phone.

4) TwitterYou can Tweet right from your phone and set up the updates to feed directly into your website, wiki, or blog. Some teachers do this to showcase what is taking place in their classrooms or libraries. Here's an example http://www.martavalle.org/library-media-center. Some principals do this to celebrate student success and update the school on topics of importance. It instantly shows up on their website. Here's an example http://www.kurthahnschool.org.

5) Cha ChaIf you don’t know something, just text the question to Cha Cha at 242 242 and get a live person sharing an answer. This is a great resource for students who need to work on homework while on the go. Note: Cha Cha is funded by advertising. Use your discretion in using this tool.

For more ideas about effective ways to use cell phones for learning, including research-based strategies, lessons, and more orderTeaching Generation Text.

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